Exploring the mechanism of the Pd-catalyzed spirocyclization reaction: a combined DFT and experimental study.

The mechanism of the palladium-catalyzed spirocyclization of acrylamides has been investigated by density functional theory and experimental studies. The results support a mechanistic pathway that proceeds oxidative addition, intramolecular carbopalladation, C-H bond activation, and migratory insertion sequence. The M06L/def2-TZVPP//BP86/6-31G(d,p)/LANL2DZ level of theory used and the inclusion of solvent effects provide results in good agreement with the experimental data.